Owners of dogs that died at kennel aid in adoption of 61 dogs

The Gilbert 23 donated funds raised after the deaths at the Green Acre boarding facility to save 61 dogs from being euthanized at the Phoenix Maricopa County Animal Care and Control August 23, 2014.Valerie Collins, of Mesa, parades one of the fostered dogs that was saved. Collins lost her dog in the tragedy.(Photo: Cheryl Evans/The Republic)

Owners of the almost two dozen dogs that died at a Gilbert-area kennel site in June gave new life to their loss Saturday by aiding in the adoption of over 60 other dogs.

The dogs at the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control - West Shelter would have otherwise been euthanized at 5 a.m. Saturday morning, but the shelter guaranteed that would not happen in light of the adoptions.

To celebrate their second chance, each was walked around outside the shelter in a parade-like fashion.

The group of dog owners, known as the Gilbert 23, used $13,000 raised through the crowdsourcing website gofundme.com account that was set up after the incident at Green Acre Dog Boarding to fund the adoptions.

Authorities found 21 dead dogs when they went to the kennel on June 21, on a county island near Gilbert. Another two dogs that had been at the kennel also died, including one that apparently ran away.

The Gilbert 23 donated funds raised after the deaths at the Green Acre boarding facility to save 61 dogs from being euthanized at the Phoenix Maricopa County Animal Care and Control August 23, 2014.Paul Nebeker, of Peoria, pets Legend, one of the dogs that was saved. Nebeker came to support the Gilbert 23. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

The Gilbert 23 donated funds raised after the deaths at the Green Acre boarding facility to save 61 dogs from being euthanized at the Phoenix Maricopa County Animal Care and Control August 23, 2014.Most of the dogs were fostered out. William Holthusen, of Mesa, is fostering Legend. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

The Gilbert 23 donated funds raised after the deaths at the Green Acre boarding facility to save 61 dogs from being euthanized at the Phoenix Maricopa County Animal Care and Control August 23, 2014.Most of the dogs were fostered out. Scout, a 2-year-old bull terrier mix, is all smiles after being saved. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

The Gilbert 23 donated funds raised after the deaths at the Green Acre boarding facility to save 61 dogs from being euthanized at the Phoenix Maricopa County Animal Care and Control August 23, 2014.Valerie Collins, of Mesa, parades one of the fostered dogs that was saved. Collins lost her dog in the tragedy. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

The Gilbert 23 donated funds raised after the deaths at the Green Acre boarding facility to save 61 dogs from being euthanized at the Phoenix Maricopa County Animal Care and Control August 23, 2014.Some of the saved dogs walked in a parade after being saved. Cheryl Evans/The Republic